U.S. patent number 4,265,032 [Application Number 06/048,487] was granted by the patent office on 1981-05-05 for expandable article of footwear.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Betherb, Inc.. Invention is credited to Beth Levine.
United States Patent |
4,265,032 |
Levine |
May 5, 1981 |
Expandable article of footwear
Abstract
An expandable article of footwear having a sole with an upper
formed over at least a portion of the sole. At least a part of the
upper has formed therein an array of elongated slits. The slits are
colinearly arranged into substantially parallel columns with the
slits spaced part in the columnar direction. The slits of adjacent
columns are in staggered relationship with each other. In this
manner, when the article of footwear is worn, the openings defined
by the slits expand into a generally oval shape.
Inventors: |
Levine; Beth (New York,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Betherb, Inc. (New York,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
21954851 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/048,487 |
Filed: |
June 14, 1979 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/11.5;
36/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
3/107 (20130101); A43B 23/027 (20130101); A43B
3/24 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
3/10 (20060101); A43B 3/12 (20060101); A43B
003/12 (); A43B 007/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/11.5,3R,3A,11 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
614009 |
|
May 1935 |
|
DE2 |
|
Ad.58899 |
|
Nov 1953 |
|
FR |
|
447004 |
|
Apr 1949 |
|
IT |
|
40316 |
|
Jul 1907 |
|
CH |
|
Primary Examiner: Kee Chi; James
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Friedman, Goodman &
Teitelbaum
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An expandable article of footwear comprising
a sole with an upper disposed over at least a portion of said
sole,
a free edge of said upper providing an opening through which a foot
enters into said article of footwear,
said upper including means for permitting a major portion of said
upper to expand,
said means also permitting said free edge to expand to accommodate
entry of the foot,
said means including an array of elongated slits colinearly
arranged into substantially parallel columns, said slits extending
through said upper and being spaced apart in the columnar
direction, said slits of adjacent columns being disposed in
staggered relationship with each other, and
said slits being substantially perpendicular to said free edge with
a plurality of said slits extending through said free edge.
2. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein a
length dimension of each of said slits is oriented in a direction
of the foot form.
3. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein said
upper includes a toe portion and a heel and ankle portion, said
portions being interconnected by a stiffening seam member, said
slits being in said heel and ankle portion, said slits being
oriented in a substantially perpendicular direction of said
sole.
4. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 3, wherein another
array of elongated slits are provided in said toe portion with said
toe portion slits being oriented along an elongated direction of
said sole.
5. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein the
entire upper includes said array of elongated slits.
6. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein said
free edge of said upper is a scalloped edge defined by a plurality
of arcs, ends of said scalloped edge arcs terminating in associated
ones of said plurality of free edge slits.
7. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 6, wherein a toe
portion of said upper is opened, said opened toe portion being
defined by a scalloped edge having a plurality of arcs ending in
associated ones of said slits which extend through said toe portion
scalloped edge.
8. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, and further
comprising a lining material adhered to an underside of said upper,
and wherein said array of slits is provided in registration through
both said upper and said lining material.
9. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, and further
comprising vent holes positioned in said upper proximate its
interconnection to said sole, each vent hole being larger than each
slit.
10. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein said
slits are of uniform length.
11. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein said
slits in any given transverse row crossing said columns have a
reduced slit length as they approach side ends of said upper
adjacent to said sole.
12. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein said
slits are uniformly positioned such that they lie in parallel
transverse rows crossing said columns.
13. An expandable article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein a toe
portion of said upper is opened, said opened toe portion being
defined by an opposite edge of said upper having a second plurality
of slits extending therethrough.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to footwear construction, and more
particularly to an article of footwear formed with an upper, where
the upper can expand to accommodate various sizes.
In footwear construction, there is generally provided a sole with
an upper formed thereon. There can also be included a heel, as well
as other portions, depending upon the type and shape of the
shoe.
However, since the shoe is formed of stiff material, typically
leather, plastic, canvas, or the like, and since the upper is
connected to the sole by means of stitching, adhesive, or the like,
the size of the shoe is generally fixed to a particular foot
size.
As a result, when one purchases a shoe, boot, slipper or the like,
the size of the footwear must be commensurate with the foot size.
If the size is too big or too small, it will not fit properly and
will provide discomfort, and frequently damage to the wearer's
foot.
As a result, it is necessary to carry a complete selection of
footwear to accommodate all of the various foot sizes. Such sizes
must not only include variations in length, but also variations in
width, as well as combinations of length and width sizes. This
requires a considerable amount of stock in any particular style in
order to accommodate all foot sizes.
As a result, frequently, many sizes are not stocked in particular
styles and the wearer must either resort to a different shoe style
or compromise the particular foot size to one that is not exactly
commensurate with his needs.
In addition to variations in size corresponding to different foot
lengths and widths, even with a particular foot there are
frequently variations during the course of the day as well as with
changes in the seasons. For example, in the mornings when the foot
is first placed in the shoe, after the foot has been raised for a
considerable length of time during the nighttime in a rest
position, the size of the foot is slightly smaller than at the end
of the day when the foot has been in a vertical position with
pressure on the foot for a considerable length of time. Similarly,
during the summer, as a result of expansion, heat, moisture, and
other conditions, the foot swells a bit in size greater than its
winter size.
Despite these variations in foot size, during each day, each
season, etc., a wearer generally does not change the shoe or other
footwear between morning and nighttime to accommodate such changes,
nor does he change the shoe size between summer and winter shoes.
Accordingly, a shoe size that fits for certain days or certain
times of the year may be discomforting for other periods of
time.
Yet, furthermore, the comfort of the foot in the shoe will vary
depending upon the thickness of the sock, stocking, etc., as well
as because of various other factors concerning the effect of the
environment on the shoe, the effect of the connection between the
sole and the upper and many other variations.
Accordingly, with present existing footwear, even when a shoe is
selected to fit a particular foot size, the shoe will not always
provide a perfect fit and will not always give good comfort because
of such variations during normal routines.
Another problem with existing footwear concerns the particular
shape of the foot. While shoes are generally designed for an
average foot shape, it is well known that such shape actually
varies from person to person. While a particular style may
accommodate one wearer's foot shape it may be most uncomfortable to
another wearer even with the same foot size, since the particular
shape of the foot may differ. This problem is even further
compounded as a result of deformities in the foot, such as corns,
bunions, etc.
As a result, existing footwear are not often designed to
accommodate particular foot sizes and shapes, and in most cases a
wearer must compromise style, size, shape, or some other aspect of
footwear in order to obtain a shoe to wear.
In the prior art, an attempt has been made to try and accommodate
at least a part of these problems by providing expandable shoes to
accommodate a change in a single size. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
3,389,481 has a steel plate formed in the sole which permits
movement between a first and second shoe size position. At the same
time, the upper material itself is of crinkled leather, or the
like, whereby it can be expanded between the two positions
corresponding to the two sizes. Accordingly, especially for a
child, the shoe can be utilized not only for the size for which it
was purchased, but for the next size as well.
Another attempt to accommodate expansion of a shoe is provided in
U.S. Pat. No. 1,110,624. In this case, there is provided an
expandable edge portion in order to permit entry and exit of the
foot into the shoe. The expansion is provided by means of an
expandable rubber strap which is covered by a folded over piece of
slitted leather to permit expansion of the rubber therebeneath. The
leather is stitched at its bottom portion to prevent expansion of
the leather itself and to only permit the leather to accommodate
expansion of the rubber.
Neither of these approaches have truly addressed the essence of the
problem of permitting full expansion of the entire upper in order
to accommodate completely different foot sizes and shapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
footwear which avoids the aforementioned problems of prior art
footwear.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
expandable article of footwear which can accommodate various foot
sizes, shapes, and types.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
expandable article of footwear which can conform to the shape of
the foot.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an
expandable article of footwear which can vary its size in order to
accommodate variations in foot size during the course of daily or
seasonal changes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable
article of footwear which can provide comfort to various foot
shapes and sizes.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
expandable article of footwear which can expand during the course
of normal routines to accommodate variations in foot size.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an
expandable article of footwear which can provide comfort to a
wearer's foot while yet providing beauty and style.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an
expandable article of footwear which can be easily manufactured and
which can be stocked in styles which can cover a range of foot
sizes.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an
expandable upper which can be utilized in the formation of numerous
shoe styles including loafers, half boots, full boots, slippers,
sandals, etc.
Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, there is
provided an expandable article of footwear comprising a sole with
an upper formed over at least a portion of the sole. At least a
portion of the upper comprises an array of elongated slits
colinearly arranged into substantially parallel columns. The slits
are spaced apart in the columnar direction. The slits of adjacent
columns are staggered with respect to each other.
In an embodiment of the invention, the length dimension of the
slits is oriented in the direction of the foot form, whereby the
toe and vamp portion have slits oriented in the longitudinal
direction of the footwear while the heel and ankle portion have the
slits vertically directed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as
will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices,
combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described by way
of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a
preferred embodiment in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing the expandable article of footwear as a
slipper;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present
invention showing the article of footwear as a sandal with air
vents;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present
invention showing the article of footwear as a wedge type sandal
with a scalloped edge;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing the article of footwear as a half boot;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to that shown in FIG. 3,
showing the expansion of the footwear upon insertion of a foot;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the upper taken along line 6--6
of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the upper of
FIG. 4, showing the material in an expanded condition.
In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters
designate like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, the article of footwear 10 is shown as a
slipper and is formed with an outsole 12, upon which is placed an
insole 14 and including an upper 16 formed over the toe and arch
portion of the sole. The upper is held by conventional means of
adhesive and/or stitching at the outer edge 18 where the upper is
connected to the sole portion in the usual manner.
The upper comprises an array of elongated slits, one of which is
shown at 20. The elongated slits are arranged colinearly into
columns extending from the toe of the shoe. The columns are spaced
apart from each other and are disposed in parallel relationship.
The slits of adjacent columns are in staggered relationship with
each other.
More specifically, the slits 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 all lie in a single
colinear column. The slits are spaced apart from each other in the
columnar direction. The next adjacent column on one side thereof
comprises the elongated slits 30, 32, 34, 36, etc. These slits in
the next adjacent column also are colinear with each other and are
also spaced apart in a columnar direction. The slits of the first
mentioned column are staggered with respect to the slits of the
second mentioned column. Accordingly, the slit 32 is positioned
longitudinally between the position of the slits 26 and 28. The
slit 26, on the other hand, is positioned longitudinally between
the slits 32 and 34. This pattern continues throughout the
upper.
When the slits are initially formed during manufacture and prior to
the entry of a foot into the slipper 10, the slits are in a
contracted condition, and accordingly, appear as simple cuts, as
shown by the single slit line 38 adjacent the rear of the upper.
However, as a foot is inserted into the slipper, or as the material
is spread during the course of connecting it to the sole portion,
the material on the sides of each of the slits move away from each
other causing the slits to open up and form a somewhat oval shape,
as shown by the slit 40, near the toe portion.
Referring to FIG. 7, a more detailed view is shown of the expanded
upper of FIG. 4. It will be noted that the expanded slit 42 has
opened up to form a somewhat oval shape with pointed opposing ends,
forming an arrangement somewhat between an oval shape and a diamond
shape. This arrangement is similar to that produced by a metal gate
effect. The size of the opening formed at the slit portion will
depend upon the amount of expansion caused by the foot. With a
larger foot, the ovals will be wider and the material will expand
more to accommodate the larger foot. With a smaller foot, the slits
will only slightly expand.
It should again be appreciated with reference to FIG. 7, that the
array of slits is such that the slits lie along the columns with
slits in adjacent columns being staggered from each other. It
should also be noted, with respect to FIG. 7, that the slits can
actually continue all the way to the outer edge 44. This will
permit the outer edge itself to expand thereby accommodating entry
of the foot into the shoe.
It will also be appreciated that with the arrangement shown in FIG.
1, the upper can actually be stored in a complete flat condition
lying adjacent to the sole portion. However, upon insertion of a
foot into the slipper, the upper will expand to accommodate the
foot. Furthermore, the size of the foot can vary wherein the upper
will simply expand to accommodate such variation in size. It may be
necessary to provide a series of such shoes, each accommodating a
size range. For example, the slipper can be provided in small,
medium and large sizes to thereby accommodate a great range of shoe
sizes with only three basic slippers. However, it is not at all
necessary to have a particular size for a particular corresponding
foot size.
Additionally, it should be appreciated that during the course of
daily routine, or with seasonal changes, as the foot size changes
by swelling and contracting, the upper will simply expand to
accommodate such changes without causing discomfort. Furthermore,
it should be appreciated that even if the shape of the foot is
abnormal, deformed, etc., the upper will accommodate such
deformities by reshaping itself to conform to the actual shape of
the foot.
Although the FIG. 1 embodiment is that of a slipper, it should be
appreciated that the same concept of an expandable upper can be
applied to other articles of footwear. For example, referring now
to FIG. 2, there is shown an article of footwear 46 which is a
shoe, such as a sandal, not only including a sole portion but also
including a heel 48 beneath the sole 12. Furthermore, stitching 50
is provided to connect the insole and outsole together. In this
embodiment, the upper 16 has an open toe portion. Furthermore, side
air vents 52, 54 are provided adjacent the interconnection between
the upper and the sole portion. Such vents permit the entry of air
to flow into the shoe area providing more comfort, especially in
summer use. It should be appreciated, however, that even in the
absence of the air vents, the slits themselves provide airholes for
more cooling and comfortable wearing of the shoe.
A further embodiment of the footwear is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5,
wherein the article of footwear 56 is shown as a wedge type shoe
with the wedge portion 58 shown interspaced between the heel 48 and
the insole 14. The wedge 58 can be of a sturdy material such as
wood, leather, canvas, and the like, and can also include a
decorative coating therearound. The upper 16 is shown formed with
an open toe and is connected at the front portion to the outsole
and along the arch to the portion beneath the insole and above the
wedge.
The back edge of the upper is shown scalloped at 60. The scallops
include arcs 62 which terminate at their lower edges 64 on slits
66. Accordingly, at the back edge, as the foot enters into the
shoe, the edge itself will be able to expand to accommodate entry
of the foot, as shown in FIG. 5. At the same time, because of the
scalloped edge, a decorative style is achieved to avoid any marring
of the beauty of the shoe as a result of the slits. A similar
scalloped edge can be formed at the front edge 68 where the toes
extend from the upper. This will also permit expansion at the edge
while providing a decorative arrangement.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 thus far described, it will
be noted that the various slits are all of uniform length and that
the entire array is uniform. Accordingly, the slits lie in parallel
transverse rows. More specifically, as will be seen for example in
FIG. 7, the slits 70, 72, 74, 76, and 42, lying in a single
transverse row, are all parallel to the slits in the next
transverse row.
Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 5, it will be seen that such uniform
length arrangement of the slits is not always required. FIG. 3
shows best that the transverse rows crossing the columns have a
reduced slit length as they approach the sides of the upper. More
specifically, while the slits in the center part of the upper are
of uniform length, commencing with the column containing the slit
78, the transverse rows have reduced slit length. Thus, the slit 80
is of reduced length as compared to the slit 78 and similarly the
slit 82 is of reduced length compared to the slit 80.
Similarly, in the next adjacent transverse row, the slit 84 is
longer than the slit 86 which in turn is longer than the slit 88.
It should be noted, however, that even in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, the slits still lie in columns and are still spaced apart
in the columnar direction. Also, the columns are still parallel to
each other. However, since less stretching or expansion is required
at the edges of the upper where they connect to the sole portion,
the slits need not be of the same length. The greater expansion
occurs near the center of the upper and accordingly these slits are
bigger to accommodate such greater expansion needs.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there will be shown yet another embodiment
of the present invention showing a half boot arrangement 90. In
this arrangement, there is provided a section 92 of the upper
covering the toe and vamp portions of the boot, and a further
section 94 of the upper disposed on the heel 96 and the arch
portion, the section 94 extending upwardly over the ankles to form
the half boot style. A stiffening member 98 is interposed between
these two sections 92, 94 of the upper which is stitched to each
section by means of the stitching 100. The entire upper sits on the
outsole 102.
In the section 92 of the upper, it will be noted that the elongated
slits 104 lie in the longitudinal direction of the boot. On the
other hand, in the section 94 of the upper, the slits 106 lie in a
vertical direction, an enlarged portion of section 94 being shown
in FIG. 7, as set forth above.
It should therefore be appreciated that the slits have their length
dimension oriented in the direction of the foot form. Accordingly,
in the toe and vamp portions of the shoe, where the foot shape is
such as to lie longitudinally, colinearly with the axis of the
shoe, the length dimension of the slits is oriented in the
longitudinal or axial direction of the shoe. On the other hand, in
the heel or ankle portion and portions thereabove, the foot extends
in a vertical direction. Accordingly, the slits are such as to have
their length dimension also oriented in the vertical direction.
It will thus be appreciated, that the slits are formed so as to
accommodate the variations in size of the foot. For the ankle
portion, the variations in size is in the circumference of the
ankle portion and accordingly, the length direction of the slits
are such as to permit the circumference of the boot or shoe to
expand. On the other hand, around the toe portion, the variation in
size is such so as to increase the circumference around the lower
foot portion and accordingly, the length direction of the slits is
to permit such circumferential expansion of the toe portion of the
upper.
The material of the upper can be of any sturdy shoe material such
as leather, plastic, or the like. In addition, there can be
provided a lining on the underside of the upper. As can best be
seen in FIG. 6, there is shown the upper 108 of the boot 90 shown
in FIG. 4, the upper 108 being formed of plastic material and
beneath it a lining 110 such as a felt, foam, or fabric lining
which is adhered to the upper by means of an adhesive material 112.
The slits 114 are formed through both the upper and the lining, in
registration with each other. Thus, the expansion at the slits will
cause expansion of both the upper and the lining thereunder.
The amount of expansion can be controlled by the spacing of the
adjacent columns, the length of the slits, as well as the columnar
distance between the slits. For example, by making the spacing
between adjacent columns greater, there will be less expansion.
Similarly, by making the distance between the slits of the same
column greater, there will also be less expansion.
Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be
understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred
embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration
only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the
invention.
* * * * *